Ranked Opponent No Match For Wolfpack As Wrestlers Sweep Another Quad

West Morris Central upset the wrestling Blue Streaks, ranked #19 in NJ, 37-24 Saturday at Warren Hills, sweeping a quad match for the second weekend in a row. Christian Trimarchi (9-6), Jack Lyden (4-5), Shane Metzler (16-0) and Michael Caso (12-4) led the Pack with three wins each as WMC defeated Warren Hills, Hackettstown and North Warren.

“We came into the quad with a winning attitude,” said Metzler. “Coach (Ken) Rossi commented how proud he is but he also said we cannot be satisfied.”

Even Rossi could not recall beating a top-20 team, saying “It was a thrill, and definitely a program win. We put together a great performance in all three matches.”

AJ Hill (4-4), Kade Loughney (13-5), Marco Gaita (13-5), Caleb Isemann (15-3), Robert Rosen (6-8) and Alex Kaltenhauser (12-7) each contributed two wins. The Wolfpack raised its record to 8-2.

The team expected excellence from its five returning starters, who together are 69-20. But first-year starters have already contributed 51 wins, led by Caso’s 12, nine each from Trimarchi and Justin LeMay (9-9), six from Rosen, and four each from Hill and Lyden.

Warren Hills

WMC prevailed in big match after big match, ultimately winning 10 of 12 bouts wrestled. Kaltenhauser won 3-2, followed by Caso’s huge 8-7 upset of Cody Harrison, ranked #2 in the Region by Open Mike.

“The highlight of the day was definitely beating Warren Hill,” said Caso. “As a team we worked hard and were well conditioned, so we put points on the board for the win.”

The sophomore is emerging as a contender to go all the way to Atlantic City for the state championships. “My goals are to take every match one at a time,” he said, “and keep moving forward as far as I can take this!” Caso’s won 11 in a row, including all eight matches since cutting to 106 lbs.

Even Rossi said ”he was really excited for Caso today.”

Lyden, a freshman, won his first-ever varsity match 8-1 on the way to a perfect 3-0 day, giving the team a huge boost at 126.

Metzler, ranked #5 in NJ, majored Codey O’Rourke 9-1. Eight of the wrestlers Metzler faced this year are a combined 73-8 when not facing the WMC co-captain. O’Rourke has only three losses -- two to Metzler. This was the junior’s 80th career victory, moving him into top-15 all-time for WMC.

Jack Dunn made his varsity debut, taking one for the team vs. the ‘Streaks’ best wrestler, Matt Vali (14-0). LeMay delivered a pin, and Loughney picked up his ninth win in a row, 2-0.

Trimarchi showed his gas tank, roaring back from a six point third period deficit to prevail 12-10 in the most exciting bout of the day.

“Everyone was really pumped,” he said. “It was a great feeling to beat such a good team since we’re all working so hard and giving it our all, especially for matches like this.” The junior has won 9 of his last 11 bouts.

Gaita and Isemann both topped very tough divisional alternates, and Rosen pinned Nicolas Galka – ranked top-3 in the district by Open Mike.

Hackettstown

WMC narrowly escaped rival neighbor Hackettstown 41-36 on the strength of consecutive pins from Caso, Hill, Metzler and Lyden; then two pins and a tech from Trimarchi, Gaita and Isemann respectively.

Lyden’s win was pivotal, stopping junior Justin Bennett (7-9) in the first period for six.

John DeVito made his varsity debut, taking one for the team vs. Hackettstown’s best wrestler, region champ Joe Renne.

North Warren

Freshman Luke Stefanelli (1-1) won his first varsity match, topping North Warren junior Ryan Reyes 6-0. Zach Fuchs made his varsity debut, accepting one of four forfeits from the undermanned Patriots.

Hill, Loughney, Trimarchi and Kaltenhauser all won by fall. Hill now has four pins in his eight varsity matches. Rosen majored senior Ryan Baldwin at 182 for the 55-12 Wolfpack victory.

Roxbury

The 16th-ranked Gaels dominated the Wolfpack 48-19 on Wednesday 1/13 with wins from their three state qualifiers. Loughney triumphed in overtime over Dominick LaRusso (who was 8-2). Michael Brown (2-2) triumphed by fall at 3:17. Caso majored John Tesoriero (7-3) by 12-2. Metzler added another strong win, pinning Evan Vazquez (8-1). Isemann lost by three to the #4 ranked 160 pounder in the state, Craig Roumes. Gaita lost a one point heartbreaker to ranked state qualifier Tommy Miller.

Next up

Morris Knolls visits WMC Wednesday night at 7 PM (JV at 5:30). Then the Wolfpack hosts a formidable quad Saturday, facing Kittatiny, Delaware Valley and Westfield starting at 9 AM.

“At the beginning of the year the guys and coaches set our goals during a difficult workout. We said we want to have a .750 winning percentage, qualify for sectionals, and place top 5 in the Morris County Tournament,” said Rossi. ”I think they are all attainable if we stay healthy.”

“I’m excited for the rest of the season,” said Metzler. “We work harder than most teams and that’s just a fact. We gained some confidence today, and will continue to perform.”